A community is rallying together to raise funds for a woman whose scooter was stolen.

Shirley Brigham, 67, lives at Falcon Court near Fuller’s Hill, where on Saturday, June 11, her scooter was taken.

In the days after she was unable to leave her home until the neighbour leant her use of one.

She said that she has not been able to live a normal life since the incident.

On the back of seeing her story, Mandy Hawes from Oulton Broad decided to step in.

She said: “I am friends with Shirley on Facebook having met her two times before and when I saw the story on the theft of her scooter on Facebook and I was so annoyed.

“A plain old sorry on her Facebook page certainly didn’t seem enough to actually give her the independence she had back.

“So I spoke to Shirley and suggested she make a Just Giving page and she said that she had never asked for anything before so I decided that I would go start it up.”

Mrs Hawes started the donation page on June 30, setting a target of £500 so that Shirley could buy a second hand scooter.

However the fundraising efforts far exceeded her expectations, with more than £1,000 raised in just 24 hours.

She said: “I woke up the following morning and the target was already exceeded. I was stunned and Shirley is absolutely delighted.

“Once the donation period ends we will be handing the money over to Shirley and it looks like she will be able to buy something better than a second hand scooter.”

Mrs Brigham said: “I was overwhelmed when I heard how much it was raising and how quickly.

“Some of these people who have donated probably haven’t even met me in person, so I am extremely grateful.”

Currently £1,140 has been raised towards the scooter.

If you wish to make a donation contact https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/shirleymargaretcimelli